Circle of Inevitability Chapter 673 - Chapter 673: “Sealing” Spell

Chapter 673: Sealing Spell

Translator: CKtalon

Confirming his fears, Lumian slipped his key into the lock, easing the door to the suite open without a sound.

Now, he knew without a doubt that Ludwig, the terrifying sealed creature, would unleash his hunger and frenzy at the Dream Festival.

Beneath the crimson moonlight streaming through the window, Lugano thrashed wildly, his face twisted in agony.

Lurking at the end of his flailing arm was Ludwig, dressed in a childs nightcap and sky-blue pajamas dotted with yellow stars. The sickening sounds of bones crunching and flesh tearing filled the air.

Amidst the chaos, droplets of blood splattered onto the floor.

Suddenly, Ludwig lunged forward like a frenzied animal, his jaws closing in on Luganos arm with a sickening crack.

All!

Luganos scream pierced the air once more, threatening to blow the roof.

Instinctively, he tried to wrench his arm free from Ludwigs grasp and shove the creature away with his other hand. Pain seared through him, and he felt himself teetering on the edge of unconsciousness.

Observing Ludwig closely, Lumian darted behind him, his nostrils flaring.

Two beams of white light shot forth from his nose, enveloping Ludwig. Ludwig paused, shutting his eyes.

But before Lumian could react, the boys mouth resumed its relentless assault on Luganos arm, pulverizing bone and flesh alike.

His eyes snapped open.

The Spell of Harrumph can only daze Ludwig for a moment, and thats only if hes sealed... Lumian reminded himself, taking a deep breath to steady his nerves.

He glanced at Lugano, who had noticed him but was too consumed by agony to speak. Raising a hand, Lumian motioned for Lugano to remain patient.

Though Luganos mind raced with curses and frustration, he remained unable to voice them.

As thoughts raced through his mind, Lumian gave an imperceptible nod.

Changing his focus, Lumian bypassed Ludwig, who was engrossed in devouring Lugano, and seized Luganos shoulder.

In an instant, Lumian retrieved a sharp straight sword he had acquired from Port Santa, pulling it from his Travelers Bag.

What is he trying to Jo? Amidst the throes of pain, Luganos thoughts scattered.

With a swift motion, Lumian swung the sword, the blade bursting into white flames.

The fiery sword crashed down upon Luganos arm, where Ludwig had been feasting, striking at the joint.

With a sharp sound, Luganos forearm tore away from Ludwigs grasp, leaving behind a gory, truncated limb.

Simultaneously, Lumians form began to fade, and even Lugano, whom he had grasped, vanished from sight.

Teleport!

But Lumian hadnt gone far. Both he and Lugano reappeared at the suites doorway.

The agony persisted, but Luganos momentary relief vanished as Ludwigs figure once again came into view. The sight of the boy, his mouth still bloody with Luganos remaining forearm, sent a shiver down his spine.

The fear momentarily eclipsed the pain, and Luganos mind raced with frantic questions.

Why not teleport away from Tizamo?

Why not teleport to Port Pylos?

Why are we still lingering in front of Ludwig?

Meanwhile, Ludwig had turned his attention to the doorway, his blond hair matted with blood, his brown eyes glinting with ravenous hunger.

With the speed of a child his age, he advanced toward Lumian and Lugano,

all the while chewing and swallowing what remained of Luganos arm.

Unperturbed, Lumian calmly returned the straight sword to his Travelers Bag.

Under Luganos horrified gaze, Lumian conjured an entire almond pistachio cream thousand-layer cake and hurled it onto the floor beside Ludwig.

Ludwigs sprint slowed as he seemed to ponder which delicacy to indulge in first.

Ultimately, he turned his attention back to Lugano.

The sight of blood, flesh, and marrow infused with spiritual essence seemed to intoxicate him even further.

Capitalizing on Ludwigs momentary indecision, Lumian delved into his Travelers Bag once more, extracting a fragment of Hisokas corpse and tossing it aside.

Ludwigs gaze followed the offering, his lips instinctively moistening, yet he made no move to change course.

It seemed he found the offering beneath his tastes, too dirty to be his top choice.

Lumian systematically tossed out ingredients brimming with spiritual energy, one after the other, creating a barrier of tempting treats around Ludwig. Cream pancakes, fruit tarts, sandwiches oozing with cream, bouchee a la reine, chocolates infused with liquor, cookies, candied plums, eclairs, Charlotte desserts, and a myriad of other delicacies

formed a tempting ring around Ludwig, impeding his advance toward Lugano.

Turning to Lugano with a stern expression, Lumians voice took on a commanding tone. What are you waiting for? Stem the bleeding first!

Startled, Lugano obeyed, his left palm emitting a faint glow as he applied pressure to the stump of his injured arm.

As Ludwig indulged in the feast laid out before him, his urgency waned. Though still concerned for Lugano, he no longer rushed forward.

In the final stages, Lumian threw out boxes of biscuits, sweets, beef jerky, and assorted provisions, encircling Ludwig with a haphazard yet effective wall of food.

Nearly all of Lumians seven days worth of rations for Ludwig had been deployed from his Travelers Bag.

What... whats the meaning of this? Lugano, having successfully treated his wound and eased his pain, watched Lumians actions with bewilderment. He couldnt fathom why his employer was so fixated on feeding Ludwig in the midst of their predicament.

Sealing that fellow, Lumian replied calmly, his hands never ceasing their task.

Sealing? Lugano nearly doubted his hearing.

Isnt this too absurd?

Using food to seal a monster?

He couldnt recall ever encountering such a concept, not even in the most far-fetched novels on the market. No author would dream up such a peculiar method!

Wouldnt a conventional seal involve the use of spiritually potent materials to inscribe mystical symbols and patterns, followed by ritualistic magic or the employment of a mystical artifact?

What possible purpose could hurling food at the monster serve?

Lumian smiled and sighed.

Once hes satiated, he wont have any appetite left for you or anyone else here.

And theres enough food to keep him occupied until dawn, and possibly even beyond.

Lumian had devised this plan upon realizing that Ludwigs sole desire was to eat. Coupled with his behavior during the Dream Festival, Lumian was confident that Ludwig was now driven purely by his insatiable hungera unique trait exclusive to him in Tizamo.

In this scenario, as long as Ludwigs appetite was sated, he could remain confined within the suite, feasting without posing a threat to others.

What was the distinction between this and traditional sealing methods?

Of course, the success of this makeshift seal depended on the Dream Festival concluding before Ludwig depleted the seven days worth of food.

Otherwise, Lumians ability to hunt in the forest might not keep pace with Ludwigs voracious appetite.

Luganos understanding dawned upon hearing Lumians explanation.

Indeed, this method offered a practical means of temporarily restraining Ludwig.

Who said it couldnt be deemed a seal?

Understanding ones targets preferences and weaknesses allowed for the implementation of a seal without resorting to mysticism!

Observing Ludwig still attempting to approach the door amidst his feast, Lumian realized the creatures reluctance to part with Lugano. With a swift movement, he grasped Luganos shoulder and teleported them both to a corner of the second-floor stairwell in the police headquarters.

Ludwig briefly glanced at the vacant doorway before refocusing on his culinary conquest within the suite.

Are you certain everythings under control? Lugano inquired anxiously, the moment he exited the spirit world.

Lumian chuckled in response.

As long as no Beyonder happens to stroll by the door, he wont abandon his feast.

Relieved, Lugano exhaled deeply, casting a rueful glance at his remaining arm. Thoughts swirled in his mind as he contemplated his future.

At least Im still alive. As long as Im alive...

In the future, 111 see if 1 can save up enough money to afford a mechanical arm from the Church of Steam. That might bolster my combat strength.

The Doctors expertise could only do so much, as transplanting anothers limb was beyond the realm of possibility.

Camus and Rhea, observing Luganos bloody limb, furrowed their brows, recalling Louis Berrys ominous warning of a greater issue.

What happened? Camus inquired.

Lumian smiled.

Its a complication caused by that big problem, but Ive managed to seal it temporarily. Just remember, stay away from the Brieu Motel, especially the door on the second-floor suite.

Relieved to hear that Louis Berry had intervened, Camus assured Lugano,

Thankfully, its all just a dream. Youll be fine once you wake up.

A dream? Lugano was perplexed.

Lumian offered no further explanation, simply remarking, Indeed, its a dream. But remember, if you perish in the dream, you perish in reality too.

Amid Luganos bafflement, Lumian redirected said to Camus and Rhea, Lets make our way to Twanakus house now.

His primary objective in investigating the Dream Festival was to locate Hisokas gold and the item acquired from the Nois familys Demon. He intended to assess any changes in their respective locations following the festivals commencement.

If nothing surfaced, Lumian planned to seek out Padre Cali at the Saint-Sien Cathedral.

The peculiar condition of weakness in the depths of the Spirit Body possessed by Padre Cali in reality set him apart from everyone else in Tizamo. This hinted at something distinctly special about the padre. Additionally, it was Padre Cali who had officially inaugurated the Dream Festival.

Camus hesitated, his silence suggesting he might have pressing matters to attend to.

In that moment, Rhea regarded Lumian with confusion, gesturing towards Lugano.

Why is he still lucid?